FPC Romaniacs 2007
This is Week Two of our Journey. For Week One, please go here.
"See what Jesus saw. Do what Jesus did. Go where He sends you."
- Matthew 9:35-38
July 30, 2007
12:34am
And Grace Will Lead Us Home
As we came to end of our Romanian journey this evening, we came face-to-face with another miracle. The women of the team, under Cherrie's leadership and guidance, had prepared a "Lifebook" for each of the nine girls at Casa Iosef. It was our last evening in Beius and the time was right to present them. Cherrie (through Andrea) told the girls we had something very special for them.
All the girls sat down, as wondrously expectant as we've ever seen anyone. As Cherrie sat each one on her lap, she told each girl of this special book of memories that was prepared just for her.
It was an amazing exchange! The girls were absolutely transfixed upon their books. They would looks at the pictures, studying each one intently, then shout out another girl's name and run to them to show them the picture of the two of them together.
Now, here's where the miracle really happened. Daria - the littlest girl, the one who never connects with anyone, the one who never smiles - sat waiting for her name to be called. With each name, she became more excited. When Cherrie called "Daria", she ran to her and sat on her lap. She took the book with a look of wonder and gratitude. As she sat down, her expression changed to something we've only witnessed once before - a smile. Then the smile gave way to laughter.
As Daria ran around to the other girls, she leapt with joy upon recognizing them and herself in a book that had been so lovingly prepared.
Jesus changed water into wine and fed the five thousand. He's still at work today. We witnessed a miracle in the changed life of a little outcast Romanian girl that the world had given up on. We got the girls to sit still long enough to document them and their books.
In Apollo 13, Jim Lovell describes a situation where he thought he was lost flying over the China Sea. His instrument lights went out first. Then, he began to lose fuel. But then he saw the wake of the aircraft carrier. It was churning up the phosphorescent plankton and it led him home. If his lights hadn't gone out, he would never have been able to see the wake. Captain Lovell said, "You never know what events are going to transpire to lead you home."
We may never know, this side of Heaven, what events are transpiring to lead these precious girls to their Lord. But I believe that these Lifebooks may be one of those events. And if, by God's good grace, we have been able to be part of any of His other events this past week, then we are doubly blessed indeed. Because we ourselves have already been blessed beyond measure on this great adventure in the beautiful country of Romania.
July 29, 2007
11:13pm
Hungarian Rhapsody
We returned to Remetea this evening for Church. It was a beautiful, two-hour service. Elliot again preached, we sang, and Cherrie gave her testimony. The choir performed some beautiful, a capella music and the brass band pulled out all the stops.
The majority of the service was in Hungarian. When the Pastor wanted to tell our team something, he would speak in Romanian and Peter would translate. When Peter translated for our group, he spoke in Romanian and everyone, we assume, also understood it. The young people also sang along with every song we performed, in English.
8:19pm
Romanian Gothic
With apologies to Grant Wood. Pam and Michael in front of the REMM medical clinic in Beius.
3:50pm
Laughing All the Way
This could be the theme of our entire trip, but today we found ourselves traveling with the girls across the Romanian countryside to a Baptist Church filled with strange brass instruments, and on the way singing Jingle Bells at the top of our lungs. Just an ordinary Sunday, as they say.
The Biserica (Romanian for "church") is only two years old. It is a beautiful structure and outfitted with all the technological advances (note that air conditioning would not be considered a technological advance). Two striking examples of the old and new: (1) As the congregants turn off their cell phones, the women go sit on one side and men on the other; (2) a widow woman, dressed in traditional black garb, runs the sound board and the laptop computer that projects the words to the songs on the front wall.
One more "old bumping up against the new" moment: the widow woman played new-agey type Christian music under some of the prayers, but when it came time for the offering, the men of the congregation broke out the Dr Seuss-looking brass instruments and did the extended instrumental version (but no drum solo).
Elliot delivered a wonderful sermon on Matthew, chapter 9. It is the theme of our trip: "See what Jesus saw. Do what Jesus did. Go where he sends you." It was both a hopeful message and a call to action to the Romanian church.
The girls sang some songs, again moving many in the congregation to tears. They were as good as gold during the service.
After the service, we toured a mineral spring that Dimitru Frezze and the church hopes to turn into a spa. We also visited the huge structure that will become the assisted living facility for adults with disabilities. As we stepped off the bus into the hot Romanian sunshine and looked over at the building, Mr Frezze said, "Welcome to Arizona!"
The facility will house 40 adults in 18 large bedrooms (each with accessible bathrooms) and will employ 30 health care professionals.
And then, a big surprise when we arrived back at the clinic: Anca, the Lucaciu's oldest daughter in New Jersey, was on the phone. Her water broke and she was headed to the hospital to have little Lucas Toderica - three weeks early. Over the fields we go! Oh, what fun!
3:32pm
Outnumbered!
Actually, we weren't. I'm embarrassed to say that there were 11 adults for 8 girls from Casa Iosef - and we still lost the battle! May the Lord richly bless the caregivers of Casa Iosef when they are one-on-nine or even two-on-nine!
It started simply enough. We went by the orphanage, then took the girls by the hand (or on our shoulders) for about a 15 minute walk to the pizzeria. It was an outdoor structure with a bamboo roof - sort of like the Hideaway meets the Enchanted Tiki Room. Along the way, we saw many cars decorated for weddings. We understand that there were four weddings and the parties drive around town for hours honking their horns.
Anyway, many spilled Sprites later, we received our pizzas - a very good, thin crust, actually.
Elliot and Geta had a great time finishing off a Speziale.
You probably noticed the girls are all dressed alike in bright outfits. Before you get to worrying that they're all working at some Mexican chain restaurant at a young age, rest assured that the caregivers dress them that way when they go out so that they are easy to spot and keep track of. Big families, take note!
After a very sticky walk back to the orphanage with very sticky girls on our shoulders, we bade them good evening and headed to The Bridge so that the ladies could finish the girls' Faithbooks. Cherrie will present them tomorrow.
July 28, 2007
9:51pm
In the Caves of the Romanian Bear
We leave you tonight with our picture at the top of the page. We took a field trip today to the Bear Caves. From what we can glean from the brochure, explorers found the bones of prehistoric bears in this cave in a beautiful valley about 20 kilometres from Beius. It is a very nice cave, with some great stalactites, stalagmites and formations. But, after a week of record high temperatures, two words sum it up: 10 Celsius. Heaven!
We got a kick out of the English translation in the brochure. Here is an excerpt (hey, I know I couldn't even get that close):
In the cold empire of darkness, the water is the millenary artisan of a fragile eternity. What nature drudged in millions of years, an ignorant hand or an heedless foot can crush in a second.
This is the reason for the abyss to keep its jewels locked, away from the stares of the man benumbed in admiration and tormented by curiosity.
And with those sobering words, we bid you a pleasant evening and a good Sabbath.
8:56pm
Kickin' It Up a Notch
The Lord is the Lord of surprises. When the ladies of our team and the ladies of the village of Beius get together in heaven at the Revelation-style banquet, don't be surprised if the table looks something like this:
On Thursday evening, Carol, Elaine, Stephanie, and Pamela cooked a Mexican dinner for the ladies of the village. Whitney and Cherrie also helped and addded their artistic talents.
Carol tells of improvising with strange and new spices, meat that didn't brown and cheese that didn't melt . . . but us menfolk can testify that it was delicious! Carol and her sous chefs were already in forboding territory: Buna's kitchen. Buna, the matriarch of the Lucaciu clan and the cook of all our meals at the clinic, is a formidable figure and she guards her kitchen like it was one of her grandchildren. Carol navigated the choppy waters like a pro, improvising when needed. At one point, they found some of Emeril Lagasse's "Essence" in Buna's kitchen (in rural Romania!) and put it to good use.
There was great fellowship and everyone enjoyed the meal. Elliot and Whitney have known many of these women for several years. Many are teachers and can tell of the vast changes that have swept through the country from dictatorship to now where Christians may actually visit and talk in public schools.
Elliot serenaded the women with a virtuoso performance of "Malaguena". He then sang several numbers such as "Lord, I'm Amazed" and "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord". A good time was had by all.
3:22pm
Buckaroo Holiday
Howdy, Pardners! This here's the rootin' tootinest Hoedown this side of the Pecos! Hold on tight, because this is the wildest Carnival in the wilderness!
On Friday, we held a Carnival at Casa Iosef. The girls at the orphanage were reunited, if briefly, with the boys who were there this time last year: Emil, Adam, Martin, Robie. In addition, many of the children in foster care who had physical or developmental problems (and would probably not be adoptable) were there. What a fun, touching day!
Now, for our viewers with less charismatic sensibilities, don't be alarmed at this next picture. Elaine is not conducting an impromptu healing service. It's just that Diana wanted a tattoo smack dab in the middle of her forehead.
Cherrie and I were in charge of taking the children's pictures with a Polaroid, then they went to Pam and made a frame. With our western theme this year, we put a bandana and hat on each child (which they got to keep) for the picture. Whitney made me the Sheriff and accentuated my mustache by making it a handlebar. I felt honored that the kids wanted to be my deputies. By the end, we had 10 or 11 little mustachioed deputies running around. After a few Fantas and some cake, they were more like five o'clock shadows. Here are Andrea and Dahlia in more sensible poses:
Who knew that Pinata was universally understood? Even with a pink baseball bat, the children knew exactly what to do. Carol is attempting crowd control in the background.
It was a wonderful day. The fellowship, the chance for reunion, the knowledge that these precious children are in good hands, the fun - it was a small taste of Heaven on a beautiful Friday.
July 27, 2007
9:47pm
Flowmania
Do not adjust your set. We have been without internet service since Wednesday evening and I am now going to frantically try to catch you up on all the terrific happenings of the past couple of days here in sunny Transylvania. It's OK: we just go with the flow here.
First of all, we had a wonderful evening out at the Lucaciu's cabin. It is on the outskirts of town and it has become something of a tradition to have a cookout there on the last Friday or Saturday of the trip. Ana fires up the grill (brought all the way from America) and cooks some veal and sausage, there is potato salad and great vegetables of the season. How's this for a view?
For those of you familiar with Michael Homan's experiences at the cabin in 2005 (and you can read all about it here in the latest issue of Tidings, at page 5), I am happy to report that the deck has been repaired.
Before the cookout tonight, we participated in a Hungarian Baptist Church VBS in the village of Remetea. We have been to this Church each year. We sang and reprised the "Wise Builder" and "Desperately Seeking Stephanie" skits.
Michael told the story of the six beads and how they can give us the story of God's love for us. We also took Polaroid pictures of each child and they decorated a frame for their parents.
Serban provided the translation today. Serban is the Lucaciu's neighbor and his mother, Rodica, is one of the teachers who came to Fiesta Night. Serban is an amazing entrepreneur: he had his own internet cafe in his house and he is now starting an online newspaper. He was a good sport and allowed the kids to decorate him, giving Pam a good laugh in the process.
By the way, the picture at the top of this post is of the "Oom Pah" band instruments at the front of the Church. Every Sunday, the men of the Church play in a brass band (with some instruments that are very unique) that accompanies the congregation. There are many Hungarian communities in Romania. The children all learn Romanian in school (and English) but the parents speak mainly Hungarian. We have been at Church services in the past where we had a three-step translation - English to Romanian to Hungarian.
Meschie, one of our drivers, is from Remetea. He and his wife adopted one of the Casa Iosef girls and she is precious. Here she is, with picture frame and Beanie in tow:
The children posed with us for a picture before heading home for supper. We hope to see them again on Sunday for evening Church service.
Home Alone
On Wednesday afternoon, a group went with Johnny "Cinc" on another Agape Run. They took food to a family. The only person home was Nicoletta, the seven year old daughter. She is left at home all day while her parents and five older siblings work in the fields, sometimes into the evening.
Part of the ministry this year is to deliver the Beanie Babies that we collected and were given. This little girl held her new pink bunny tight, now having a friend to wait with her until Mom and Dad get home.
The Beanie Babies have been a tremendous hit with the children here. In a country where the people do not know what it is like to have as many accumulations as Americans, it has been refreshing to witness the joy that comes to children with the smallest of tokens. Beanie Babies, coloring books, jars of bubble soap - they all bring a smile to someone's face. Most often, ours.
The Agape Run team told us that they were rolling down the road when Carol yelled, "Johnny! Stop!" Johnny slammed on the brakes, expecting the worst. Carol opens the door to the van, jumps out with an armful of Beanie Babies, runs over to a group of children, gives them the Beanie Babies, runs back to the van, and they drive off. A drive-by blessing. The group told us that the kid's faces were absolutely beaming as they received the Beanies. We wondered, though, if two things might occur. When the girls told the story to the village, they might set up a shrine to Our Lady of the Plush Animals. Or, the children might come out to the road every day at 3:10 pm, the time of the first apparition, waiting for the blonde woman to appear. With God's grace, maybe they will remember the experience as one of agape.
Most of the other people on the Agape Runs had had some type of major surgery. There were heart surgeries, appendectomies, and gall bladders removed.
This widow thanked the group profusely for their concern. Another widow wanted to keep the group with her. Here, she tells her story to Whitney while Andrea Lucaciu translates. Andrea is the Lucaciu's youngest daughter and she has been a tremendous help this Summer. Plus, she her younger brother AJ have kept us all entertained and been great companions for Pamela, Stephanie, and Michael.
Well, a lot more has happened since Wednesday afternoon. We'll catch up tomorrow with the Ladie's Fiesta Night on Thursday, wherein Elliot serenaded the group with strains of latin guitar. Also, the big Carnival at the Orphanage was on Friday. It was the rootin' tootinest hoedown this side of the Pecos!
Please click here to go to the web log for Week One.
REMM is involved in medical work, evangelism and helping those in need, including orphans, widows and poor families. It organizes work teams from around the world to assist in these ministry outreaches. Teams help plant new churches, support missionaries both in and around Romania, assist physicians, as well as equip medical clinics and nursing homes. They also purchase land for Christian farmers, supply agricultural equipment, support evangelists and pastors, adopt churches in Romania and distribute biblical literature in hospitals, orphanages, villages, market places, prisons, schools and universities. Learn more at REMM's website.
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